POSH Complaint in Kolkata: Internal Committee Process and Legal Options
A POSH complaint in Kolkata should be handled with attention to the applicable workplace framework, Internal Committee procedure, confidentiality, evidence and available review or appeal routes. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 creates a statutory framework for prevention, prohibition, and redressal of sexual harassment at the workplace. A complaint should be handled through the appropriate Internal Committee or Local Committee structure, not through informal circulation of allegations.
Before making a complaint
- Prepare a dated chronology of conduct, location, words, messages, and witnesses.
- Preserve original emails, chats, documents, photographs, and call records lawfully.
- Identify the workplace and the committee or Local Committee with jurisdiction.
- Consider safety, retaliation, confidentiality, and interim-relief concerns.
POSH Process Matrix
| Stage | What to prepare or check |
|---|---|
| Before complaint | Dated chronology, original communications, workplace details, witnesses and committee jurisdiction. |
| Initial safeguards | Confidentiality, retaliation risk, safety concerns and any lawful interim measure. |
| Inquiry | Specific written submissions, documents, witness material and copies of procedural communications. |
| Report | Findings, recommendations, reasons and whether the process followed the Act and applicable rules. |
| After report | Implementation, appeal or challenge route and any separate employment or criminal-law issue. |
During the process
Participate in the inquiry, answer specific questions, keep copies of submissions, and avoid public disclosure of confidential material. The committee’s procedure and report must be read with the Act and applicable rules.
After the report
Check the report, recommendation, implementation, appeal route, and any separate employment or criminal-law issue. A POSH proceeding does not automatically decide every related question of termination, defamation, assault, or compensation.
Official source
Read the India Code text of the POSH Act, 2013 and the applicable rules.
Frequently asked questions
Does the general rule apply to every employee?
Can the matter be handled remotely?
What records should be collected first?
Which authority or court may handle the dispute?
Can interim protection be requested?
Should a legal notice be sent first?
Related Increeda resources
Prepared by Increeda Law Firm. This is general legal information, not advice on a particular employment dispute. The applicable law and procedure should be checked against current notifications, service rules, and case facts.
